The In-Between

Learning from people is one of my favorite things... Amy taught me the difference between real Mexican food and Tex-Mex. Caroline helped me be slightly more proficient in sending speedy text messages. Sarah shows me how genuine, meaningful, and fun being a mother can be. Nathan shows me the privileges of learning an instrument and how to bless people using that ability. Emmy is continually aware of the Sovereignty of God, and pursues Him with fervor. Jake teaches me to be a little wild, and let loose. Kim encourages me to love the time spent with my Savior, soaking up His presence. Rylee urges me to be spontaneous, and let the little things slide off my back. Jaxon taught me how to throw macaroni on homework and not cry because it looks ruined. The best part of being where I am right now... is learning from the amazing people surrounding me.

Last night, I was at Sarah's until midnight. One of my favorite thing about Sarah is that she listens. She talks and talks and talks some more... but so knows how to listen. And last night, after her and Nathan got home... she sat and talked to me for two hours. She told me story after story, letting me just soak up her desire for God's heart. She was telling me about the month before she graduated from high school. Fitting, since I am graduating soon! She was a month away from graduating. The moving date was set. She knew her roommate was going to be, and was ready for the change in atmosphere. She told me that it was no surprise that the word she spoke the most was "last." Her and her friends had grown up together, gone to the same school, and worshipped in the same youth group. Now life was about to split them into four different directions, and they were sad, excited, and hopeful all at the same time. Nothing can feel more bizarre than when the future you've dreamed of for years finally plops down in front of you.
Of the many traits I admire in Sarah, all the many things I've learned from her, there's one in particular I want to share with you. Though she was psyched about the future, she knew life didn't begin when they left for college.
She knew God was using her right then, right where she was, to be a bright example of His love. She led small groups full of younger girls. She was intentional about reaching out to new students. Every week, she prayed for her classmates, co-workers, family, and friends.
She had her friends hold her accountable in relationships they had. She was intentional about her time spent in God's Word, getting to know Him more.
Sometimes high school can feel like little more than an awkward spurt of "between time." But Sarah made that time matter, too.

David was like that too. When Samuel saw Eliab, he thought he'd found Israel's future king. But God said no. One by one. Samuel met the rest of Jesse's boys. None of them proved to be the guy Samuel was looking for. Finally somebody went out to find David, the handsome, outdoorsy youngest brother. Just like that, David's life changed completely. Samuel anointed him the future King of Israel.
Before David knew it, he was slaying giants, leading armies, and ruling a kingdom; but those are just bullet points in a much longer, more beautiful story. Every season of David's life mattered to God. David could have put all his hopes in a royal "someday." He could have assumed life didn't start until he was king. But he didn't. He didn't let his age or his fears be excuses to sit out life.
Not every season made sense to David, but every season was important. He messed up plenty of times. He was frustrated and angry. Time and time again, he brought God his most authentic self. Time and time again, God worked through him in big ways.
This season matters to you, too. You don't have to wait until college, grad school, married life, or summer for God to use you. Life doesn't begin when you get married, become a parent, set foot on a different continent, write books, or sell your first piece of art. "Someday" will be here before you know it. in fact, "someday" starts now in the decisions you make and the way you live.
So live in this moment. Dig into God's Word right now. Be brave enough to trust Him with this day, and the day after. I have a feeling you'll look back at this season in your life and see just how much it mattered. These crazy between times can be crazy beautiful. Watch and see.
I found a great verse in my quiet time this morning that I want to share with you! "My heart bursts at its banks overflowing with beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words." Psalm 45:1
The rest of this year, and this summer~ pour your life out in a poem to your God. Live every day with bold compassion, integrity, and purpose. Worship loudly. Love until you're exhausted. Sneak away from all the chaos, and chase fireflies and watch the sunset. Get to know the people in your life~ really know them, not just their names. Be courageous and brave. In some ways, every moment is a "last." This exact school year, with these people, in this place, will never happen again.

So live it completely, and live it well.

I love you,
A